CAFÉS
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CAFÉS
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BACKSTAGE |
| DE BAKKERSWINKEL Amazingly this huge breakfast lunch and tearoom can be quite hard to find at first. Look up for the coffee and tea company sign still hanging (the premises were once used as warehouses). It's a spectacular place. The lengthy shop is divided into different areas: fresh bread is served from the counter at the front, there's a posh tea lounge at the back, a huge sky-lit reading table and plenty of snug seating for those tea for two moments... The place in town for scones and cream or deliciously healthy snacks, juices and teas. Feels very 'London'. Simply divine... Warmoesstraat 69 (489 8000) www.bakkerswinkel.nl |
| HIMALAYA Incongruous with its location on the edge of the Red Light District, this café – hidden at the back of new age bookstore Himalaya – is a genuine oasis. Zen out with the chilled background music and a bevy of Buddhas whilst refuelling mind, body and spirit from the healthy selection of vegetarian offerings – 'tosties', homemade soup and pâté, seitan burgers and salads. Save plenty of room for the delicious desserts! Warmoesstraat 56 (626 0899) www.himalaya.nl |
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LATEI |
| PUCCINI Perhaps erroneously calling itself an espressobar, this charming breakfast and lunch place is like being in the kitchen of the proprietor. Indescribably delicious home-made soups, and imaginative sandwiches. Pricey but worth it – especially if you snag the corner couch. A couple of doors away is their famous chocolaterie. Staalstraat 21 (620 8458) www.puccini.nl |
| TISFRIS Spacious, light, arty split-level café right by the Waterlooplein flea market. Yummy food (sandwiches, soup, salads, pasta, quiche etc.) and cute staff. Also, a great breakfast place. Open from 09.00-19.00 St Antoniesbreestraat 142 (6220472) www.tisfris.nl |
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VEGGIE
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BIRD
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GREEN
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GROENE GEWOONTE |
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VLIEGENDE SCHOTEL |
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COOL
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| 11 Take the elevator to the 11th floor where this industrial-style restaurant is atop the Post CS building currently housing the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art. The compulsory four-course set menu (¤30) changes daily. Housewines are well selected though beware your drinks bill doesn't creep up while waiting for the courses. Air conditioning is just a concept here so avoid on muggy nights – but be sure to pop up at least for the killer views across the city. Oosterdokskade 3-5 (625 5999) www.ilove11.nl |
| BAZAR One of my favourite restaurants in Amsterdam. Located in a huge former church, it dishes up world-cuisine with an emphasis on North Africa and the Middle East. Only drawback is that it gets really crowded so reservations are necessary – even on a so-called 'quiet' night and their music thunders out too loudly (the acoustics of the building enhance this). Everyone complains about it but they don't do a thing about it. Shame. Albert Cuypstraat 182 (675 0544) www.bazaramsterdam.nl |
| BIRD Simply the best Thai restaurant in town. It's huge too so good for large numbers. Service is exceptional as is the food and it's great value for money too. If you arrive and there's a queue. Wait for a table! It won't take long and will be worth it. Alternatively, you could pop across the road to their authentic Thai café at number 77, also called Bird. Zeedijk 72 (620 1442) |
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BLAUW AAN DE WAL |
| BRASSERIE HARKEMA Haute cuisine at a low price with a Sex & The City ambience defines Harkema's immense popularity, especially in the evenings (book ahead or be prepared to prop up the bar). Huge, high-ceilinged, and permeated with a noisy buzz, it attracts a sociable set of diverse diners – yet remains unpretentious and friendly. Unusually, the kitchen is open past 11pm with a limited though decent enough menu. Nes 67 (428 2222) www.brasserieharkema.nl |
| CAFÉ BERN Warm up a cold night with fondue at this cheap and cheerful brown bar with Swiss aspirations, on the edge of the Red Light District. (They have a terrace in summer). Bread – not meat – will be on the end of your fork so vegetarians can dip in with a clear conscience too. There's a wide range of drinks and very palatable house wines too. Reservations are strongly recommended: the locals know they are on to a good thing! Cash only. Nieuwmarkt 9 (622 0034) |
| FIFTEEN Jamie Oliver's recently-opened restaurant – an open-plan delight within a gentrified waterfront warehouse – follows the concept of his world-renowned London establishment. A four-course modern Italian 'Tasting Menu' (¤42.50) – they have a vegetarian alternative – can be accompanied by a special wine menu (¤22.50), with eclectic selections for each course. (Or opt for a table in the cheaper Trattoria; no reservations necessary). Service is painstakingly attentive – from the serving staff right down to the sommelier. An exceptional experience. Jollemanhof 9, 0900 3438336 (NL only) www.fifteen.nl |
| GETTO Whether it's an ostrich in chocolate sauce, a creative vegetarian salad or hearty home-cooked burger and fries you won't leave with your stomach rumbling at this kitsch New York-style lounge establishment. Prior to dinner, hit the 5-7pm Happy Hour and knock back a Cosmopolitan or two whilst nibbling on marinated artichoke hearts and stuffed jalapeno peppers. Warmoesstraat 51 (421 5151) www.getto.nl |
| IN DE WAAG Head here for lunch or dine by candelight in this imposing castle-like building (formerly a weigh-house), dating from 1488 and where, upstairs, Rembrandt painted The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulip. The eclectic meat and fish menu also offers delectable vegetarian options, though is a tad on the expensive side. Plump for the Australian house wine, Everton White, and don't miss the desserts which are a veritable tour de force. Additionally, large groups can be catered for in private rooms and the kitchen closes late (10.30pm). Nieuwmarkt 4 (422 7772) www.indewaag.nl |
| KILIMANJARO Attention to detail and friendly service rate high at this clean, airy gem of a restaurant specialising in traditional dishes from various African countries – including Ethiopian-style pancakes (ideal for a romantic date). Plump for the Alligator cocktail or the Mongozo beer (served in a bowl) to wash the feast down and round off your meal with the ceremonious Ethiopian coffee – served with popcorn! Rapenburgerplein 6 (622 3485) |
| NOMADS A hip Arabian restaurant from the decor down to the middle eastern menu, electic wine list, inspired cocktails and accompanying beats from the DJ. Slip off your shoes and kick back on mattresses as your dinner is served from large bronze platters. Leave room for the Aich El Saraya (honey-sweetened pastry filled with cream and covered in pistachios). All in all, worth the dent it will make in your wallet. Plus, Bhasha gives great tarot readings here every Thursday from 9pm-late. Owned by the Supperclub (see below) and above Supperclub's über-cool Club More. Rozengracht 133 (344 6401) www.restaurantnomads.nl |
| SNEL (LLOYD HOTEL) 'Deep-fried brains' may only be for adventurous pallets, but the menu at 'Brisk' offers the possibility of combining a plethora of individual options – even down to the sauce – so you can 'design' your own meal. Food ranges from classic European cuisine to posh 'trucker tucker'. Spacious, high-ceilinged and with a terrace, the modern designer restaurant is within the sumptuous 'art hotel', the Lloyd, and open from 7am-1am. On the downside: vegetarians won't be spoilt for choice here and it's spookily quiet. Not good for dates either (as I've discovered from personal experience). Lloyd Hotel, Oostelijke Handelskade 34 (561 36 58) www.lloydhotel.com |
| SPANJER & VAN TWIST A short stroll from the Anne Frank House, this comfortable café-restaurant is the perfect place to rest those weary, queued-out feet. From the open kitchen, they dish up delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners – from toasted sandwiches to eclectic pasta dishes, homemade soup, cheesecake and apple pie. What's more, they serve huge milky coffees – and alcohol. Pièce de resistance is perhaps their charming canalside terrace or the long window seat on the entresol, ideal for lazy afternoons. Leliegracht 60 (639 0109) |
| SUPPERCLUB A tremendous tour de force on the hedonist's scene is this huge ultra-violet tinged bright white restaurant. There are no tables – only beds (my kinda place...) and serving staff bring platters of food straight to your chosen spot. A five-course meal is served up throughout the night (be on time), DJs spin upbeat lounge music and there are various acts to enhance your dining pleasure. Great for intimate dates, special occasions – or if you just happen to be rich. If you're famous, however, you must reserve like the rest of us! You can't just turn up on the night and demand to get in. And it's popular – so make sure you book ahead. Dress smart casual or just to impress. Finally, if Howie is your host for the night – and Willow is in the coatcheck – you're in for a treat! Jonge Roelensteeg 21 (638 0513) www.supperclub.com |
| SUPPERCLUB CRUISE The Supperclub concept has been seemlessly translated onto a 1960 ship once used by the late Queen Juliana of the Netherlands to entertain visiting dignitaries. Onboard the "Supperclub Cruise", guests can catch the sun on the top deck, sip champagne and cocktails in the bar below, and retire to dinner on the lower deck while it sets sail from behind Centraal Station. Fabulous! Departs from Pier 4 (Steiger 4) behind Centraal Station www.supperclub.com |
| TRICKY THEATER RESTAURANT I've yet to try this out but I'm intrigued by this restaurant on a boat (De Zeehond/The Seadog) by Centraal Station and nextdoor to the floating Chinese restaurant. Food is conjured up by Woedy Woet with a mix of magic, theater and music. And there's a special children's afternoon from 2-4pm. It's open Wednesday-Sunday from 6pm-10pm. Reservations requested. Oosterdokskade 10 (626 9383) www.trickytheater.nl |
| WERCK Refined rustic lounge décor, Escher-esque stairways, a kitchen in a greenhouse, subtle nooks and crannies, a peaceful courtyard and upstairs terrace make this recently-opened restaurant a superb dining destination. Spacious and barn-like inside, the building was formerly the coach house of the neighbouring 17th–century church, Westerkerk. Food is well-priced and creatively-presented with an imaginative choice of dishes (though few options for the non-carnivore). Prinsengracht 277 (627 4079) www.werck.nl |
| VAKZUID A hip, well-heeled restaurant located under the grandstands of the Olympic Stadium built when Amsterdam hosted the Games in 1928. Sprint here in the late afternoon to sip cocktails on their loungeable outdoor terrace before diving into their creative menu, a subtle Asian-French fusion. Olympisch Stadion 35 (570 8400) www.vakzuid.nl |
| ZOMERS With the motto 'the sun on your tongue', this warm restaurant, with its retro lighting and subliminal 1950s theme, serves creative and imaginative Mediterranean fare. The weekly-changing menu is a bargain at ¤24 – and never fails to draw regular customers back for more. Service is exceptional and the kitchen is open till the slightly later time than average of 10.30pm. On the downside, the vegetarian selection is a tad on the tiny side. Prinsengracht 411 (638 3398) www.zomersrestaraunt.nl |
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BAGELS
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BAGELS & BEANS |
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GARY'S MUFFINS |
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HEALTH
FOOD STORES
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DE BELLY |